As a pilot myself, the sensationalist headlines when we have gusty conditions and a few aircraft have to go around frustrate me an awful lot. It’s perfectly safe manoeuvre that is regularly practised and discussed.
With regards to the fuel for a divert, every aircraft carries enough fuel to divert from a missed approach at the destination to the alternate airport, conduct a missed approach there also and have a second attempt to land. On top of this “Alternate Fuel” is also “Final Reserve Fuel” which allows for 30 minutes additional flying. These are legal minimums that must be carried, but there can also be additional fuel carried at the pilot’s discretion, as well as any fuel that has been saved due to different routing by atc en route etc.
The only time I've experienced anything like this was because of swirling fog at Luton. We were on an early morning Easyjet flight from Athens, and the pilot went around a couple of times getting lower each time, and then climbing again.
He announced that the fog was moving so he was going to give it a third try, and if he had 100 yards visibility this time, he would land it, otherwise we'd climb again and go to Stansted.
My friend and I had a National Express coach booked an hour later, so really wanted to land at Luton, but fortunately, the fog swirled enough to give us a clear view and we landed.
The only time I've experienced anything like this was because of swirling fog at Luton. We were on an early morning Easyjet flight from Athens, and the pilot went around a couple of times getting lower each time, and then climbing again.
He announced that the fog was moving so he was going to give it a third try, and if he had 100 yards visibility this time, he would land it, otherwise we'd climb again and go to Stansted.
My friend and I had a National Express coach booked an hour later, so really wanted to land at Luton, but fortunately, the fog swirled enough to give us a clear view and we landed.
As someone who has used National Express loads of times from Heathrow to Brighton that is one thing not to worry about. I have arrived early or late for my booked coach and have always been able to board the next available whether ahead of schedule or late. Once we were diverted to Manchester and NE put me on the next coach to London rather than wait for the airline to magic up alternative travel.
That's ok if you're going to London. I wasn't.
Nothing to do with London as a destination. My experience of NE is wherever you are going they do their best to put you on the next available coach. They well understand that aircraft arrivals do not always keep to schedule.
But possibly cheered up a bit by the thought of being still alive....
The coach I wanted was from Luton to Yorkshire. I don't think Stansted had that service.
Heathrow a lot nearer than Manchester
Glad they're down safely. But how macked off would you be, having to yomp all the way back down from Manchester
Had almost exactly the same in Jersey once - 60mph crosswinds, three attempts at landing and on the third one pilot just seemed to get close and just 'drop it' on to the runway - we bounced along and ended up almost pointing sideways. What I recall most is the coolness of the pilot though........something like :
'Well as you can see ladies and gents I'm having a bit of trouble keeping the old girl level as we approach. I'm going to pop back up, whizz round again and have another bash at it - if I can't get down this time I'm afraid I'm going to have to take us all back to Gatwick, so I'll do my best. It might be a bit lumpy as we land............'